10 Amazing Facts About Nyepi Day – Balinese New Year

Last Wednesday, 9th of March. Balinese people were celebrating Nyepi Day – The Balinese New Year, which is the most important Balinese ceremony.

Nyepi celebrations is mostly made up of two parts – The “Ogoh-Ogoh” event, which happens on the day the precedes Nyepi. And Nyepi day, a silent day – where the best thing you can do is meditate.

The “science” behind this spiritual Balinese new year is simple: During the “Ogoh-Ogoh” day, Balinese people parade in the street with ugly handmade creatures, which is dedicated to bring out / call the demons. The Silent Day “Nyepi” is to trick those demons, pretending there is “no life” on the island of Bali, therefore nothing interesting for those bad spirits, so they can leave.

Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, Sanur, Bali

10 Amazing Facts about Nyepi

1- Inspired the World Silent Day – celebrated on 21th of March all over the World

Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, Sanur, Bali

2- One million liter of fuel is saved during Nyepi’s silent day – It is also prohibited to use electricity except in hospitals

Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, Sanur, Bali

3 – CO2 emissions are drastically reduced thanks to Nyepi – However, Ogoh-ogoh are not made of bio-degradable materials (5,000 of them are paraded every year)

Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, Sanur, Bali

4 – Nyepi helps to conserve the wonderful and magical Balinese culture among younger generations (Ogoh-Ogoh are mostly made by children and was introduced recently in the 1980’s)

Photo Credit to Baptiste Mallet

5- During Nyepi Day, the island is free of traffic, noise, pollution, even the airport and Bali’s aerial space is closed!

Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, Sanur, Bali

6- Nyepi is the only time of the year AND only place on Earth where you can do absolutely nothing without any guilt!

Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, Sanur, Bali

7 – No hotels check in or check out on Nyepi Day – No shops are opened. Make sure to have kept food at home. Some hotels also propose a “Nyepi package” including meditation.

Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, Sanur, Bali

8 – Nyepi is preceded by the Melasti ritual (3-4 days beforehand) performed near the sea, in order to purify sacred items from the temples.

Photo Credit to Baptiste Mallet

9 – Even the most popular world surf spots are empty – nobody is allowed to surf. And if you stay by the beach, it will be beautiful to witness!

Empty waves during Nyepi, in Bali

10 – Tenganan ethnic village is the only place where Nyepi is not celebrated in Bali

Nyepi is a day to be respected, unique in the world, and we highly recommend visiting Bali during Nyepi – which will be an eye opening on one of the most wonderful culture, and will as well let you reconnect with your inner self during this silent day of meditation.

Who we are

At eOasia we're all about helping you create the trip of a lifetime for your family and friends. Time is a precious commodity. We help you to quickly and easily make the most of your vacation time, and save you the hassle of weighing choices. Our multicultural team is dedicated to bring together travelers like you with local operators specialist and to provide valuable advice and knowledge on Asia.